Nirvana Nevermind is just one of the over-rated albums on the list
Nirvana Nevermind is just one of the over-rated albums on the list
They're usually featured alongside the words 'iconic' and 'greatest ever'. But we're not convinced these albums are worthy of their much-lauded legacies. In fact, we'd argue they're positively over-rated.
Radiohead - OK Computer
First, context. When this thing dropped I grabbed a copy, took it to a party and we all sat down and played it through, twice. It felt important. As it turns out, not so much, more the pretentious ass-scratchings of a bunch of school library monitors (you know the type) who'd read too much of their own press. Let's just say "get your hand off it Thom" and leave it that shall we?
I don't agree with half of Greg and Alan's choices on this list (how could you say that about Graceland Alan?!) but whenever a song from Nirvana's Nevermind comes on the radio, I can't change the station fast enough. Even as a teenager I didn't understand the fuss. It was all too leadenly dirge-like for me, kind of intentionally whiny and boring, and even Smells Like Teen Spirit always seemed to deplete my energy rather than fire me up. And Kurt Cobain's mostly very predictable lyrics did nothing to help - he might've died too young, but he was no musical genius in my book.
- Lydia Jenkin
Blood Sugar Sex Magik - Red Hot Chili Peppers
I've heard it said that U2 is the most over-rated band in the world. That would be true only if the Red Hot Chili Peppers didn't exist. And the high tide for the "Chilis" as the globe's most overvalued bunch of twangers was this, an album that is what happens when muscle-bound jocks, metal riffs, sexism, ego, too many drugs, testosterone, bad poetry and a Flea find themselves in the same Southern Californian dumpster. Unlistenable.
- Greg Dixon
Out of Time - REM
Once upon a time, in the far off 1980s, REM were almost my favourite band in the world. They made interesting, jangly, mysterious music about dark thoughts and strange ways. Then in 1991, they released this steaming pile of pop, sold 18 million copies of it worldwide, won a bunch of Grammys and broke my heart. The first single, Losing My Religion, which was released before the album, certainly signaled the band might have arrived at their nadir. But it was the album's other major single Happy Shiny People - surely the worst song title ever - that told you all you needed to know about what Stipe and co. had done: they'd sold out and then some. Talk about losing your religion ...
What exactly is everyone listening to here? I've never been able to figure out it as all I hear is yet another pub band built around a seemingly likeable frontman who enjoys inflicting endless gigs on people. Haven't you seen him get down in the Dancing in the Dark video? Dad Dancing 101. And yeah, it's all about the lyrics man, he tells it like it is. Sure, whatever, just like Dylan. He bores the crap out me too.
- Alan Perrott
Paul Simon - Graceland
How can you take something as vital, aggressive and in your face as African beats and turn them into something suitable for a bank ad? Essentially Simon made world music for people who've never been as far as Taihape, and you know it's all hype and mirrors when the most memorable bit is a bass solo (and even that uses studio fakery). He is to Fela Kuti what Vanilla Ice is to Public Enemy.
- Alan Perrott
Guns and Roses - Appetite for Destruction
Argh, just make it stop. This steaming pile seems to be pretty much compulsory at certain parties once people of a certain age get a few too many bourbons down them. Which is handy really as it signals hometime. But really, how the hell did this bloke get away with wearing bicycle shorts? You should still be laughing. And as for that other bloke's bloody hat, two words, Boy George. Or that guy from Jamirowotsit. When your schtick is a hat you need a new job.
- Alan Perrott
Trout Mask Replica - Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band
A masterpiece, apparently. But only if you're tone deaf, were born without ears or you're dead. This 1969 double album is perhaps the most willfully weird recording ever made with Beefheart - who had previously made a proper classic album, Safe As Milk - creating what sounds to me like a very long-winded, atonal piss-take. If you've never heard it, the closest comparison is the soundtrack to the worst headache you've ever had. That said, I still have a copy. I keep it to remind myself how wrong music critics can be.
